The current study involves a simple hydrazine based colorimetric chemo-sensor for selective determination of various anions. The anion-binding ability of the ligand with various anions via polar-non polar interactions and hydrogen bonding has been examined. The sensor displayed significant UV-vis enhancement response to anions such as fluoride, acetate, hydroxide, cyanide and hydrogen sulphate, with respect to concentration and time. The rate constants (K) and binding constants, Ka, for these anions have been measured by using Benesi-Hildebrand equation. A time dependent NMR study revealed stronger interaction for cyanide and fluoride ions among competing anions. © 2017 by Elsevier B.V.